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Different Roofings And How They Differ From Each Other

Submitted by admin on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 00:00

When building a new house or reconstructing an existing one, choosing the right type of roof can be more difficult than you would think. Roofs do more than just serve the purpose of protecting the house from outside elements. They define the style of the house. Throughout history and especially throughout the past couple hundred years the styles of roofs vary from area to area. The varying designs, styles, and shapes of roofs exist and have been created to accommodate the needs of the structure they are covering. Some of the most primary needs that a structure demands from a roof are protection from the weather, overall design compatibility with the existing structure, and housing of internal elements.This list of different types of roofs is presented to you by roofers Toronto:

1. Mansard Roof
This French style of roof creates a great deal of extra living space at the top of the house. These are suitable for people wanting flexibility to make future home additions. A low pitched portion of a mansard roof isn’t ideal for areas receiving heavy snowfall though. While a simple Mansard roof could save you money, a one with embellishments could cost more than typical roofs.

2. Gambrel
A gambrel, or barn roof, is much like a mansard roof. The difference between the two is that the gambrel only has two sides, while the mansard has four. Gambrels are Dutch-inspired. You could see them not only on top of barns and farm houses but also on Dutch Colonial and Georgian style homes.

3. Saltbox Saltbox roof is asymmetrical in design which looks interesting from the exterior. You’ve got one story in height on one side of the building and two on the other adding more living space. The slope makes it easy for water to run off, so you could use them in areas that receive heavy rain. But the design can be tricky, making it costly.

4. Pyramid Roof
Pyramid roofs are usually seen on smaller buildings like bungalows and cabins or just on auxiliary structures like pool houses, garages etc. Being extremely resistant to strong winds, it is an excellent architectural choice for hurricane-prone zones. Its complexity makes it expensive though.

5. Flat Roof
They are the easiest to construct, most accessible, safest to stand on. You get extra living space for a patio, garden or partially enclose for a penthouse room. Heating and cooling units could also be placed on them, keeping them out of sight. They are also conducive for installing solar panels for a more energy independent building. But this requires the most maintenance because debris will gather on the roof with nowhere to go.

6. Skillion Roof
It is just a single sloping roof surface but it’s the most modern architectural option often used just on a portion of the home. Their steep pitch allow snow and water to easily run off, making them excellent for high rain and snow regions. But if the roof pitch is too high it could make your ceilings too low.

7. Bonnet Roof
Bonnets are generally used to cover an outdoor porch area. They protect the porches and reduce wall damage. But this complex design needs more building materials and it is difficult to construct. Snow and water could pool where two slopes meet. Extra precaution is needed to waterproof these areas.

When choosing a roof, you should determine what type will and won’t work for your area. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, consider your needs. Would you rather build an eco-friendly house or one with extra space? Lastly, decide on style.